Whyalla truly is the city 'Where The Outback Meets The Sea'.

The seaside city of Whyalla (population 23,000) is the north-eastern gateway to Eyre Peninsula. Blessed with more than 300 days of sunshine every year, Whyalla is home to OneSteel (formerly BHP) and is renowned as a steel and ship-building hub.

The city itself has an picturesque foreshore, with a delightful shady park and marina. There are excellent cafes and restaurants close to the beach to sit back and take in the atmosphere. See the Whyalla Maritime Museum or Mount Laura Homestead, take a tour of the steelworks or attend one of Whyalla's friendly community events.

Whyalla is fast building a name as a fisherman's paradise. With a wide array of different species for anglers to try their skills at, including the elusive 'big red snapper'. Over Easter long weekend there are over 750 anglers that converge on the city to compete in the annual snapper fishing competition.

Whyalla Attractions

ONESTEEL WHYALLA STEELWORKS TOUR

The OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks are a fully-integrated operation, starting with the mining of raw materials and ending with the distribution of finished steel products.

Approximately 1.2 million tonnes of raw steel is produced in the steelworks each year, with about 65% of that product then transferred by rail to OneSteel's Market Mills in billet form for further processing. The balance of the steel is then converted to finished products in the Whyalla Rolling Mill. These products service the construction and rail transport industries.

As you travel around the 1000-hectare site you will hear the story behind more than 100 years of significant Australian iron and steelmaking history. Your guide will explain how hematite and magnetite iron ore from the nearby South Middleback Ranges at Iron Duke is transformed into over 90 different grades of steel.

Depending on production and maintenance schedules you will get to see different parts of the process operating. Your tour will take you past the blast furnace, coke ovens, reed beds, steelmaking and casting plant and the rolling mills, where structural steel, rail line and steel railway sleeper sections are made.

All tours are conducted by the Whyalla Visitor Centre under agreement with the OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks.

When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9.30am (returning approx 11am). Tours are limited to 23 people and always departs from the Whyalla Visitor Centre.

Cost: Adults $18; children (7-16 years) $8; concession $16.50; family (2 adults & 2 children) $44; extra children $8. Please note that children under six years of age and under are not permitted on the steelworks tour.

AUSTRALIAN GIANT CUTTLEFISH

Whyalla has become a popular tourism spot, thanks to its proud industrial history and natural wonders including the annual spawning of giant, luminescent cuttlefish.

Divers and snorkelers from all over Australia and the world converge on Whyalla between May and August each year, when thousands of giant cuttlefish gather to spawn in and around the rocky shores of Black Point and Point Lowly. These amazing ‘chameleons of the sea’ are one of the largest species of cuttlefish found in the world, and can reach up to 60cm in length and weigh up to 5kg.

The migration by these majestic creatures to these waters is for the sole purpose of spawning and is one of the most spectacular natural events in the Australian marine environment. When the cuttlefish reproduce they create an amazing spectacle of cunning games, predation and colourful displays.

WHYALLA MARITIME MUSEUM

The Whyalla Maritime Museum is a diverse museum and includes the land based vessel the HMAS Whyalla 1941 WWII Minesweeper, the museum building with several permanent galleries, and an extensive native garden. The museum officially opened in 1988, the permanent exhibition was redeveloped in 2003 and the new permanent Aboriginal exhibition was added in 2008.

The Museum also exhibits one of the largest HO scale-model railways in Australia. The Whyalla Maritime Museum is a proud member of Museums Australia, Australian Maritime Museums Council, Australian Naval Historical Society and American Historic Naval Ships Association.

The Museum is open daily from 10am – 4pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day). Access to the Ship is by guided tour only. Ship Tour Times: 10am, 11am, 12noon, 1pm & 2pm. At times access to the ship may be modified or restricted due to extreme weather conditions.

ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN SNAPPER CHAMPIONSHIP

With $30,000 in prizes the Australian Amateur Snapper Fishing Championship attracts over 700 anglers from all over Australia and overseas in search of the elusive ‘Big Red’ snapper. One of the most respected fishing events in Australia, the competition covers a range of species and culminates with the snapper championship. The event has a long and successful history with the largest snapper weighing in at almost 16kg.

WESTLAND SHOPPING CENTRE

Westland Shopping Centre is Eyre Peninsula's largest shopping centre, located in the heart of Whyalla. The centre has plenty to offer including everything from fresh food and gifts and homewares to sporting goods and fashion for the whole family. Shoppers are able to enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat in air-conditioned comfort in the foodcourt conveniently located in the mall.Shopping in Whyalla is always easy at Westland Shopping Centre with a large variety of retail on offer and plenty of free convenient car parking with shaded parking outside of Woolworths and Coles.

WHYALLA HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICE

Whyalla Hospital and Health Service is part of the Whyalla Eastern Eyre and Far North Health Services. Whyalla provides a wide range of services utilising local general practitioners, resident specialists, visiting specialists and telemedicine for people in the surrounding areas.

WHYALLA MARINA AND FORESHORE

The marina provides a four-lane launching ramp and all-weather marina, together with a floating service jetty, boat wash-down area and undercover fish cleaning facility. There’s also a safe swimming enclosure within the marina and wheelchair access to the jetty is available via a concrete path from the car park. As well as being the home of the local yacht club, Air Sea Rescue, Whyalla Sportfishing Club and Whyalla Boat Owners’ Association, the marina has its own resident dolphins.

ADA RYAN GARDENS

Whyalla’s most popular park, Ada Ryan Gardens has extensive and well-shaded lawns and gardens, a collection of kangaroos, birds and parrots, duck pond, free barbecue, tennis courts, picnic and playground facilities and public toilets. The gardens have paved paths throughout providing easy wheelchair access. Located between Cudmore and Watson Terraces and linked to the Whyalla foreshore.

MOUNT LAURA HOMESTEAD MUSEUM

Housed in a former sheep station homestead, the National Trust Museum and grounds contain a restored and furnished cottage, an engine shed with 60 plus stationary engines and an old steam locomotive, once used to haul iron ore from Iron Knob to Whyalla. A telecommunications display showcases the era of the Overland Telegraph (circa 1872) through to modern-day satellite communications. There’s also a collection of horse-drawn vehicles and agricultural implements in ‘Barber’s Barn’ and a heritage rose garden incorporating the Women’s Memorial Sculpture. Located in Ekbolm Street, the museum is open 10 to midday on weekdays and 2pm to 4pm on Sundays and by appointment - phone (08) 8645 3565.

WHYALLA CONSERVATION PARK

Rising suddenly from the surrounding plains, Wild Dog Hill is the most outstanding topographical feature of the Whyalla Conservation Park. A walking trail (30 minutes one-way) with interpretive markers leads to the top of the Hill, giving a clear view of the park and surrounding landscape. It’s a popular picnic location, and is particularly stunning at dusk and sunrise. Dedicated in 1971, the 2,020ha park preserves examples of flora and fauna native to this semi-arid area. Major tracks are suitable to 2WD vehicles, except after heavy rain, but are not suitable for caravans. Entry to the Park is free - it’s open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

FLINDERS & FREYCINET LOOKOUT

These abstract life-size statues commemorate the bicentenary of the charting of Spencer Gulf coastlines by English and French explorers, Matthew Flinders and Louis de Freycinet, in 1802. Located at the intersection of Farrell and Elliott Streets, they have magnificent views of upper Spencer Gulf, the Southern Flinders Ranges and Middleback Ranges.

MIDDLEBACK THEATRE & WHYALLA CINEMA

Enjoy theatre productions, concerts and entertainment, the latest movies and art and craft exhibitions. On permanent view in the theatre foyer are five leadlight windows depicting aspects of Whyalla and a mural tracing the pioneer history of the Middleback Ranges.

WILSON PARK

At the northern entrance to Whyalla, this park has views over the OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks and, in the distance, Port Bonython and Point Lowly. There are free sheltered barbecues, picnic facilities, a playground and 24hour toilets, and plenty of parking for cars, caravans and coaches.

CIVIC PARK

Located in the centre of Whyalla, this park features a central garden, large lawned area, playground, award-winning skateboard park, skate bowl and BMX jump track. There’s also a free barbecue, half and full basketball court facility, a sound shell entertainment centre and ornamental lake. Located in Nicolson Avenue, opposite the Westland Shopping Centre.

WHYALLA ART GROUP GALLERY

The Darling Terrace Gallery features works by local and regional artists working in various mediums, including oil paintings, watercolour, acrylic, pen and wash. Subject matters includes local land and seascapes, picturesque scenery, the Flinders Ranges, painted gum leaves and packs of greeting cards that are ideal souvenirs for travellers. Entry is free. Disabled access is available. Motorhome and caravan parking area adjacent.

WHYALLA ECO RENOVATION INFO CENTRE

Learn how to make your home and garden more environmentally friendly by visiting these two typical three-bedroom homes that have been redesigned and renovated using ecologically sustainable development principles. There are interactive games and models to learn about efficient energy usage, water and waste management, and seasonal fresh produce is available for sale from the garden. Located at 88 Hincks Avenue, open Monday to Thursday 10am - 1pm.

THE LOADED DOG

BOWLAND WHYALLA

A modern ten-pin bowling alley with automatic electronic scoring, pop-up bumpers, video game entertainment plus café and bar facilities. Check out the bowling-themed wall mural as you arrive in the carpark. Open seven days, it’s located at 103 Essington Lewis Avenue.

WHYALLA GOLF & BOWLING CLUB

Whether it’s a relaxed round of golf with friends or a company day, the Whyalla Golf Club offers a relaxed atmosphere and challenging lay-out of 18 holes with fully grassed fairways and excellent putting surfaces on the greens. Appealing to both the amateur and professional golfer, the lush grassed fairways and greens utilise an innovative water recycling system. Visitors are welcome, with golf clubs, carts and electric buggies available for hire from the Golf Shop. The facility also has two bowling greens that are regarded as some of the best in the region.

STEEL CITY DRAG CLUB

Whyalla has the only drag strip in regional South Australia, and meetings are held throughout the summer months. With competitors battling it out for prize money in their mean machines, it’s heart stopping adrenalin pumping fun for the whole family. Visit www.steelcitydrags.com for details.

Scenic Drives & Walking Trails

FITZGERALD BAY, PORT BONYTHON & POINT LOWLY

Just 20 minutes north-west of Whyalla, this coastal drive between Port Bonython and Point Lowly takes in Fitzgerald Bay, home to stunning gulf views framed by the picturesque hills of the Southern Flinders Ranges. Dolphins and birdlife can often be seen, and the rocky shoreline is popular for fishing, sightseeing and walking. Fitzgerald Bay is also home to a Yellowtail Kingfish aquaculture enterprise - look out for the farms from the lookout. At Point Lowly there are toilets, cold showers and barbecue facilities.

FREYCINET TRAIL

A heritage and nature trail suitable for hiking, cycling and driving that follows the coast for 12km between the Point Lowly Lighthouse and Fitzgerald Bay camping area. Interpretive signage along the trail gives visitors an insight into the Aboriginal history, early European exploration, flora, fauna and marine life of the area. Trail information available from Whyalla Visitor Centre.

WHYALLA HERITAGE TRAILWAYS

These three heritage walking trails were developed to commemorate the centenary of Whyalla in 2001. City Walk takes in many historic sites and Hummock Hill and the Education and Cultural Walk showcases Whyalla’s main education and cultural precinct. The Wetlands Walk utilises an ingenious water-harvesting scheme and this major development is located on the site of the City’s first aerodrome. The walk includes pedestrian paths around the lakes, a viewing and parking area with a barbecue, shelter, picnic benches, lawn and virtually waterless hybrid toilets (with baby change facilities and disabled access). Sightings of birdlife such as the reed warbler, native hen, herons and cormorants are common. Located on the corner of Playford Avenue and Broadbent Terrace.

Whyalla Visitor Centre on 1800 088 589

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